Get Inspired Series: 100 Sexy Roles Women can Take in Tech: No. 3, Liz Benison, COO Cap Gemini

liz-benison-1The NextWomen is running a series of stories of  women in tech, explaining what inspired them to work in the industry. Wendy Tan White, CEO of Moonfruit gave the wicket to Liz Benison, who went from Manufacturing Engineer to consultant in IT and SAP expert to a known leader in the field.

I would urge people to look beyond the Geek image of the sector and understand the wide range of jobs and career paths available to technologists and business people who understand technology.

Who inspired you to get into TECH?

It wasn’t a ‘who’ that inspired me, but an experience. I trained as a Manufacturing Engineer, and whilst I did some interesting stuff, the pace of change was unbelievably slow. I then got seconded to an MRPII programme and worked with a number of consultants and technologists and realised this was for me. Far more challenging, faster to have an impact on a business, working with people who challenged me and made me really think.

That said, I had the honour to work for a real doyenne of the UK IT industry for a while, Hilary Cropper and she inspired me to stick with it and aim high.

How were you educated in TECH?

Largely on the job! My degree was fairly computing literate, but really I learned the trade at Ford. Both the technical side, but also the business and customer interaction piece which is at least as important.

How is your experience in the TECH world? Any advice to aspiring (non) techies?

Almost without exception I have loved the jobs I have had. I love the fact that I am working with bright and challenging people. I love the impact the work we do has on people and services.

I am still fascinated by the new ideas and new applications of old ideas that the Tech world generates all the time. Working for consultancies in the main has given me the privilege of working with many companies, and many sectors and many, many inspiring people.

I would urge people to look beyond the Geek image of the sector and understand the wide range of jobs and career paths available to technologists and business people who understand technology. Technology is great, but is is only worthwhile when it is applied to a business situation, a critical services need in the public sector, to make someone’s life easier, more enriched etc. Therefore our jobs are far more about interacting with people, than about hacking code in a darkened room.

Which Roles do/did you have in Tech?

I worked for Ford in their IT Function and was heavily involved in the Technology Support for the Ford Mondeo. I then moved to a consultancy and specialised in SAP for a few years. Since then I moved into managerial roles and have run some large technology consulting practices. I have recently just taken over as the COO for Capgemini’s Financial Services Practice.

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June 11, 2009 | Filed Under Simone Brummelhuis careers, female internet heroes | 1 Comment 

comments

One Response to “Get Inspired Series: 100 Sexy Roles Women can Take in Tech: No. 3, Liz Benison, COO Cap Gemini”

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